Posted by Maris on 8th Jan 2024
When is the best time to visit Scotland?
With its historic yet dynamic towns, amazing wildlife, breathtaking Highland scenery, and more than 800 islands, Scotland is a wonderful destination.
Although Scotland possesses more than 10% of Europe's coastline, the country experiences severe North Atlantic weather, which makes it difficult to anticipate the weather, even though it does fall into distinct seasons. In fact, Scotland is more of a seasonal destination than many other destinations in Europe, so it's important to schedule your holiday around the best time to go.
Long, bright nights and festivities, such as the internationally renowned Edinburgh Festival, are offered by summer. But winter is also the best time to stargaze and see the Northern Lights; it's a cozy season of wilder weather and cozy nights spent indoors warmed by whisky. As rates are lower and the weather is dry, savvy tourists visit during the shoulder season. Drinking a dram, think about the best times to visit Scotland.
The months of July and August are ideal for festivals.
The Scottish social calendar is full in the summer. July is the start of the school holidays and the busiest travel month in Scotland. It's also the best time to visit the 80 islands of Orkney and the 100 islands of Shetland, and it's peak season for birdwatchers. While darkness is nearly nonexistent in far-north Shetland's "simmer dim" (the island's summer-evening twilight), it remains light until late in Orkney. Furthermore, the west coast is free of midges. It's also an excellent time to travel to the Outer Hebrides and take part in "Heb Celt," the biggest celebration held there.
Edinburgh is the cultural centre of August, when the long summer nights in the north are embraced by locals and visitors alike with a plethora of festivals, ceilidhs, whiskey extravaganzas and other events happening all over the mainland and islands. The program is more like six festivals than one big one, so make travel and hotel arrangements well in advance. On the west coast, this is the greatest month to watch minke and killer whales, and basking sharks will be joining the countless dolphins.
Bring your waterproofs if you plan to go outside and prepare for warm weather that could turn into rain. Regretfully, the west coast's peak midge population coincides with high season.
May, June, and September provide sun without the crowds.
With its long days, rising temperatures, dry weather, and lack of midges, May is regarded by many Scots as the best month of the year. There's flower on the Hebridean machair, blossom on the hawthorn hedges, and blossoms all throughout city parks. Savor whisky during the spectacular festival on Islay, or sway your kilt at the first major Highland Games of the season.
June evenings provide you plenty of time to explore with daylight lasting until 11 p.m. (or later in the Northern Isles). It is the ideal time to visit the borderlands, with border towns decorated with bunting to honor gala days and the very historic Common Ridings. Now that the puffins and gannets have returned, visit Bass Rock to see the cute birds.
It's the perfect time of year for outdoor activities: the school holidays are ended, the midges are fading, wild brambles are wonderful for picking in the hedgerows, and the weather is usually dry and pleasant. Fort William and Aviemore are the ideal locations for adventure sports.
From October through April, the Northern Lights and pleasant nights are ideal.
From mid-October to March, the weather can be chilly and wet, although the Gulf Stream prevents temperatures from falling as low as one might anticipate for this latitude. Snow rarely lasts long, unless it's in the mountains.
October brings an amazing display of fall foliage, especially in Highland Perthshire and the Trossachs, where you may witness fiery reds, rich oranges, and gold tones. Thoughts turn to log fires and malt whiskies in country inns as the tourist season draws to a close. The Enchanted Forest utilizes the gloomy evenings for its amazing light and sound festival, while the Royal National Mod honors every facet of Gaelic language and culture.
November is a great time to visit galleries and bars in Scotland's vibrant cities, even though the days are getting less. And to see Scotland's "Big Five" species (red squirrels, harbor seals, otters, and golden eagles) before the red deer travel high into the hills. Arran is the only island home to all five species. The whole of Scotland observes St. Andrew's Day. Christmas markets and festivities open in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Seasonal celebrations brighten December's gloomy days and usually cool, wet weather. Nothing compares to Scotland's Hogmanay (New Year's Eve), when the capital city organizes a huge street party on the big night and several days of events. There are fire festivals in Comrie and Stonehaven, as well as numerous more events happening all around the nation. Arrive ready to party (and reserve your lodging in advance).
Recovering from the hangover after Hogmanay, Scotland resumes work on January 3, one day later than the rest of the UK, but not before taking a dip in the sea on New Year's Day in locations like South Queensferry and Broughty Ferry. Next is Burns Night, which is celebrated throughout Scotland. January is the best month for astronomy and Northern Lights searching because it's cold and dark.
Due to its extreme cold, February is the best month of the year for heart-pounding winter mountaineering and ice climbing. There are also six ski resorts in the nation where you may ski and snowboard. The rugby Six Nations tournament is underway, the days are growing longer, and snowdrops are starting to bloom.
Although March in Scotland can be a calm month, spring will arrive when the weather gets better. Scotland's largest city is buzzing with culture, and its annual film festival complements the comedy festival in full force. In April, when the woodlands along the beaches of Loch Lomond flower and ospreys return to their nests in Loch Garten, bluebells bloom all over the country.
The days are getting longer and the weather is becoming better. Rugby players come to the field at Melrose in the Borders for the world's oldest Sevens event, as music fills the streets for the Shetland Folk Festival.